• Home
  • About
  • Favorite Articles
  • My Core Beliefs
  • Recommended Reading
  • The Gospel
  • What signs?
  • Why Prophecy?
  • Where do I start?

myBlessedHope

…while we wait for the blessed hope – the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ,… – Titus 2:13

Feeds:
Posts
Comments
« Bold Truth…God Help Us
Depending Upon Ourselves »

The Rapture

February 5, 2013 by myblessedhope

This is a great set of mini articles on the Rapture text we find in the Bible.  The thing I have grown to love about the Bible is the limitless layers that it has.  The more I pray for discernment and study the Bible (God’s word) the more that is revealed.  The connections and foreshadowing is simply breathtaking.  It is brilliant and divine.  There are so many good revelations about the Rapture that I have read over the years, I hope to consolidate them to a new page this weekend.  there are a lot of them, which is amazing for something which the critics say is not found in the Bible.

Maranatha Lord, come quickly!

-myblessedhope

_________________________________________________________________

The Rapture

Pete Garcia


Over the years, I’ve read close to a thousand articles pertaining to the Rapture of the Church. I’ve watched hundreds of videos of speakers expound on this topic.  I don’t know where to begin on how many sermons I’ve listened too…and to many of those teachers and preachers…we (those of us who benefit from their diligence) are indebted.  God has blessed many Godly men in putting to terms things many of us have missed or maybe not understood.  And just when I thought I’d heard them all, God reveals something new about this subject to me.

The Marriage

First, the Rapture must be distinguished from the gathering by the Angels that is found in Matthew 24:31 “Olivet Discourse”.  The Olivet Discourse was given in three of the four Gospels because of their intended audience.  It is not given in the Gospel of John, which many experts understand is the Gospel written to the Church.  The Church does not go through the Tribulation, hence instead of an Olivet Discourse; we have the Upper Room Discourse (John 14-17).

In Paul’s epistle to the church in Thessalonica, Christ Himself descends in the same manner in which He ascended (Acts 1:9-11) and gathers the Church unto Himself…He doesn’t have the angels gather His Bride.  Since we can model Christ’s return for His Church along the lines of a Jewish wedding, would a Jewish groom send his servants to gather his bride…or would he do it himself?

But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.

For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore comfort one another with these words. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

A Shout:  The three times that the New Testament records Jesus shouts in the New Testament, notice what happens: 

–One man, Lazarus resurrected (JN 11:43)

–Many tombs opened and dead saints resurrected (MATT 27:46, 52)

-Millions resurrected.  (1 Thessalonians 4:16)

Christ’s verbal command is powerful enough to raise the dead because Christ, having been resurrected, holds the keys to death and hell and is singularly able to command death to obey His voice.

Voice of an Archangel: Daniel 10:21, 12:1; Jude 1:9; Revelation 12:7 refer to a powerful Archangel named Michael.  In Daniel 12:1, Daniel is told…“At that time Michael shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people;” 

Since Scripture has mentioned that there are fallen angels who hold their demonic sway over places on this planet (ie…prince of Persia and Grecia), there are is also angelic ones.  Michael the Archangel, the most powerful angel, stands guard over Israel.  Scriptures do not say what he has done these last 2,000 years, but at God’s command, he stands his post over the tiny nation.  This is just some holy speculation on my part, but at the Rapture, as the Church goes up, Michael’s announcement that is shouted from the Heavens, could be to the nation Israel that Daniel’s 70th week is about to begin.  Or, it could be as Clarence Larkin has suggested that similar to when Michael and Satan contended over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9)…a command is given to the heavenly armies to keep the enemy at bay while the Rapture transpires.  According to Paul, Satan is the “prince of the power of the air”  (Ephesians 2:1-3) and as would be the case, we would be transitioning right through the heart of enemy territory.

Trumpet of God: We can see in Exodus 19:12-20, that at the blast of the ‘trump of God’, the Israelites were assembled for the first time as a nation before Moses went up the smoking, trembling mountain.  Later, in Leviticus 23:23-25, Moses is explaining the Feast of Trumpets, which would begin on the first day of the seventh month.  With the first three feasts literally fulfilled in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the remaining four feasts in the prophetic calendar are waiting, yet to be fulfilled.  Although the Church is not tied to any particular feast, it would not be surprising though if it did transpire on or near the Feast of Trumpets (September).

In Numbers 10:1-8, two trumpet blasts meant it was time for the Israelites to pick up and move.  When our Trumpet blasts, it will be time for us to leave and head to our eternal home.  I can’t help but think that the Rapture will not only signal it’s time for the Church age to end, being called to move out of this world, being assembled in the sky, for the purpose of entering into our Sabbath, which is found in Jesus Christ.   

The Living Saints

Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed-in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.”  1 Corinthians 15:51-54

In Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians, the ‘harpazo’ primarily deals with answering the troubling question about what happened to those brothers and sisters in Christ who had already died.  In Paul’s letter to the Corinthians, he primarily deals with the instantaneous transformation of the living.  We in our fleshly tents cannot enter heaven; our bodies could not physically survive it.  We have to be transformed into our glorified bodies.  In fact, instead of using the letter to comfort one another, Paul ends this Corinthians letter an almost exuberant declaration….”Death is swallowed up in victory.”  

The Magnet 

“Let not your heart be troubled; you believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also. John 14:1-3

A magnet works in a loop, with the magnetic field (electrons) constantly flowing out of the north pole and into a south pole. It is amazing to watch a decent size magnet being hung over a pile of nails and watch them get yanked up to meet the magnet.  A compass needle is a free-floating magnet, and will at every turn, point to magnetic north.  In a way, I think that our sealing by the Holy Spirit has something to do with this.  Our spiritual compass will always point us to God, no matter which way we try to turn.  We may continue on the wrong path, but the needle doesn’t lie. When Christ stated that He would ‘receive us unto Himself’, we are made of the same Spiritual material through the Holy Spirit, being caught up as those nails are to an irresistible magnet that draws us unto Himself.  When that Shout, Voice, and Trumpet call out to us believers (alive and dead), we will be snatched up to meet the Lord in the air.

As we await the return of our Lord and Savior, think about how God longs to once again walk amongst His people, as it was in the cool of the day in the garden.  Then, consider the longsuffering and patience of God, delaying His return so that as many will come, will turn and seek Him as their salvation.  As we see the signs approaching with ever increasing intensity and frequency that mark the beginning of the Tribulation, lift up your heads, for your redemption draws nigh and then we will hear…

Come, my people, enter your chambers,
And shut your doors behind you;
Hide yourself, as it were, for a little moment,
Until the indignation is past.  Isaiah 26:20

MARANATHA!

Thanks to Pastor Tim Fellure (Victory Baptist Church), JD Farag (Calvary Chapel Kaneoehe), and Clarence Larkin in which much of this material comes from. Thank you gentlemen for your insight into the Scriptures!

 

Pete Garcia is an editor-at-large for the Omega Letter.

_________________________________________________________________

Click on the article title for a link to full original referenced article.

In Romans 10 Paul lays out how salvation is open to all, Jew and Gentile.  He writes:

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” – Romans 10:4-5

What he is saying is now it is not about works or how closely to a “T” you follow the law.  But that it is through God’s gift of grace through faith in His Son, Jesus Christ.  It is really that simple, and yet a hard step for some of us.

“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” – Romans 10:9

Christ is the narrow gate (Matthew 7:13-14), through faith in Him you will be saved.  It is the only “works” that God requires for eternal salvation.

Share this:

  • Print
  • Email
  • Facebook

Like this:

Like Loading...

Related

Posted in End Times Prophecy, Rapture | Tagged dispensationalism, end times prophecy, premillennial, prophecy, Rapture |

  • God’s Word:

    "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." -- Ephesians 2:8-10
  • Recent Posts

    • The deep meaning of God’s word…
    • The hook in the mouth of the Gog…
    • A Thief in the Night…
    • Is The Bible True Or Not?
    • Apostasy from within…
    • At the tipping point or already on the downhill slide…
    • Mega-pastor: Ten Commandments no longer applicable
    • Deception – The Death of Journalism…
    • Dissecting Christ’s Declaration on Noah’s Day
    • English Bible Version Overview Diagram
    • Were the Pyramids Built Before the Flood? (Masoretic Text vs. Original Hebrew)
    • As in the Days of Noah…
    • The Atheist Delusion Movie
    • Jesus Only!
    • 2017: What a 15-day ride so far…
  • Categories

    • Aloha Sermon's & Prophecy updates (52)
    • Antichrist (110)
    • chart of the day (2)
    • Christian Persecution (272)
    • Church Falling Away (301)
    • Daily Scripture (3)
    • Days of Noah (310)
    • Deception (700)
    • Devotional (36)
    • Earthquakes (163)
    • End Times Prophecy (1,051)
    • Ezekiel 38 War (267)
    • Feasts (21)
    • Just for Fun (47)
    • Mark of the Beast (69)
    • My Thoughts (7)
    • One World Currency (289)
    • One World Government (347)
    • One World Religion (137)
    • Pestilence (103)
    • Prophecy Headlines (113)
    • Psalm 83 War (289)
    • Rapture (173)
    • Rebuilding the temple (30)
    • Restoring Honor (11)
    • Salvation (154)
    • Uncategorized (19)
    • Weather signs (243)
  • Pages

    • About
    • Favorite Articles
    • My Core Beliefs
      • I’m a Pre-Millennial, Pre-Tribulational Dispensationalist. A what???
      • Dispensational Truth: Part II
      • Dispensational Truth: Part III
      • Dispensational Truth: Part IV
    • Recommended Reading
    • The Gospel
    • What signs?
      • Re-Emergence of Israel
      • Jerusalem is a Burden to the World
      • The Dramatic Increase in Travel and Knowledge
      • Exponential Growth Marks the Times
      • Rise of the Gog / Magog Alliance
      • The Rise of Global Government
      • The Good News Preached Throughout the World
    • Why Prophecy?
    • Where do I start?
      • Seven Things You Have to Know to Understand End Times Prophecy
      • Sequence Of Major Events
      • Destiny Of The Three Components Of Humanity
      • Purpose And Length Of The Great Tribulation
      • Purpose Of The Rapture
      • Conditions Surrounding The 2nd Coming
      • Duration and Purpose of the Millennium
      • Eternity
      • Breaking down the Book of Revelation
  • News

    • CNS News
    • OneNewsNow.com
    • The Blaze
    • World Net Daily
  • Prophecy Links

    • Biblical Evangelism
    • creation.com
    • Ezekiel Watch
    • Frank Dimora's Blog
    • Grace Thru Faith
    • Joel Rosenberg's Blog
    • Living Water
    • Rapture Ready
    • The Truth Group
  • Supplies

    • Chirstian Books Superstore
    • Emergency Essentials
    • Food Insurance
  • Support

    • I am Second
    • In Touch Ministries
    • K-LOVE
    • Rizeup
    • Wallbuilders
  • Archives

    • April 2022 (3)
    • September 2018 (8)
    • August 2018 (2)
    • July 2017 (1)
    • January 2017 (3)
    • December 2016 (7)
    • November 2016 (3)
    • September 2016 (5)
    • July 2016 (5)
    • February 2016 (3)
    • November 2015 (1)
    • October 2015 (1)
    • September 2015 (6)
    • August 2015 (5)
    • July 2015 (2)
    • June 2015 (2)
    • May 2015 (2)
    • April 2015 (1)
    • March 2015 (6)
    • February 2015 (3)
    • January 2015 (1)
    • December 2014 (7)
    • November 2014 (3)
    • October 2014 (4)
    • September 2014 (18)
    • August 2014 (9)
    • July 2014 (2)
    • June 2014 (1)
    • May 2014 (5)
    • April 2014 (5)
    • March 2014 (11)
    • February 2014 (3)
    • December 2013 (9)
    • November 2013 (1)
    • October 2013 (1)
    • September 2013 (2)
    • August 2013 (15)
    • July 2013 (1)
    • June 2013 (10)
    • May 2013 (8)
    • April 2013 (10)
    • March 2013 (6)
    • February 2013 (21)
    • January 2013 (14)
    • December 2012 (17)
    • November 2012 (17)
    • October 2012 (20)
    • September 2012 (33)
    • August 2012 (39)
    • July 2012 (9)
    • June 2012 (23)
    • May 2012 (10)
    • April 2012 (12)
    • March 2012 (42)
    • February 2012 (13)
    • January 2012 (8)
    • December 2011 (2)
    • November 2011 (17)
    • October 2011 (8)
    • September 2011 (19)
    • August 2011 (12)
    • July 2011 (17)
    • June 2011 (7)
    • May 2011 (12)
    • April 2011 (6)
    • March 2011 (25)
    • February 2011 (7)
    • January 2011 (31)
    • December 2010 (23)
    • November 2010 (104)
    • October 2010 (194)
    • September 2010 (256)
    • August 2010 (241)
  • Meta

    • Register
    • Log in
    • Entries feed
    • Comments feed
    • WordPress.com

Blog at WordPress.com.

WPThemes.


  • Follow Following
    • myBlessedHope
    • Join 94 other followers
    • Already have a WordPress.com account? Log in now.
    • myBlessedHope
    • Customize
    • Follow Following
    • Sign up
    • Log in
    • Copy shortlink
    • Report this content
    • View post in Reader
    • Manage subscriptions
    • Collapse this bar
%d bloggers like this: